Greg Park Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 Dropped my 7 (VX on 45 Carbs) car into my local garage as it was only running on 3 cylinders. They've checked the coil pack which is fine and it appears that cylinders 2 & 3 are running fine, but 1 & 4 aren't. 4 may be getting some signal but 1 is dead. Are there any checks I should suggest them to try or is it likely to be a problem with the ECU (MBE). Any help would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Wong1697456877 Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 1 and 4 should be getting the same signal as they're both connected to the same amp and coil (this being a wasted spark system) It does sound like the MBE playing up and if it is, there certainly seems to be a run of them (third one I've heard of in 2 weeks) Have you looked at the plugs? They do soot up easily on a Vx on carbs. Try new plugs first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Park Posted June 12, 2007 Author Share Posted June 12, 2007 Alex, Thanks for your reply. Should have said we put new plugs in. So is there anything else worth trying or do you think it's the MBE? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Wong1697456877 Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 Are you getting no spark on 1 and 4? (In other words, are you sure it's not a fuel problem) Probably best to send the MBE to somewhere like SBD to be checked over. Sounds like one of the amps has gone. I know that the some of the older ones can not be repaired. I'm assuming you're running a dizzy-less system? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Don Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 Greg, If it's an ignition-only MBE ECU (the 906 model in all likelihood with carbs if still the original) then they can't be opened up and fixed (this from the horse's mouth at MBE). Mine played up a few weeks ago and I bought a couple of spares for £50 each. Suffice to say I have a spare if you need one. All the best, Howard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Park Posted June 12, 2007 Author Share Posted June 12, 2007 Don been through your original threads were using a 905 or 906 (I may take you up on your kind offer)? Not sure whether it's best to replace with 906 or upgrade to a newer ECU. What is the newer ECU (and is is suitable should I upgrade to throttle bodies)? All advise greatfully received. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Don Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 Greg, I can't advise re throttle bodies I'm afraid. You can retain the carbs and go to a 3D ECU (I think the latest MBE is the 967) but this will cost in the region of £400-500 new (you also need a new wiring harness and throttle pot which adds around £150 IIRC). I considered this but decided to go the easy option and just find a second hand ignition-only 906. My spare is one of these, but has a different connector from my current 12-pin plug, which would have meant a minor re-wire. Untried, but yours for £50 if you want it (comes with a dizzy and coil). Cheers, Howard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I reply to every thread Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 A newer ECU is huge overkill for what you want it to do. You'll be using 10% of it's ability (if that). Get a cheap 2nd hand one for now & upgrade if you go to TB's in the future. You'll get back what you paid for the 2nd hand one then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECR Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 A couple of old MBE's just appeared on ebay ..... (no, they're not mine 😬) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chas Guirey Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 Strange post..........................I took my watch to a horologist as the sweep on the second hand was not as smooth as it should be.......................can anyone think of anything I should get him to check which might be causing the problem. I suppose this theme could be endlessly extended.............I went to the dentist because I had tooth ache can anyone suggest anything I should tell him to check........ I understand the reason for the post but when you think about it........it says a lot about the expert car mechanic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Park Posted June 15, 2007 Author Share Posted June 15, 2007 Chas as I stated I dropped my car into my local garage as I know the guys well, they aren't Caterham experts but did diagnose the problem to be the ECU. My point in posting was that there are helpfull folk on here who have had similar problems and I always prefer to listen their suggestions. There's always the odd smart 🙆🏻 who's post is irrelvant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chas Guirey Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 Greg, no offence meant by my post. My point was that garages make a handsome living yet take them outside their comfort zone and how expert are they? Have a good weekend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Park Posted June 15, 2007 Author Share Posted June 15, 2007 Chas none taken 😬. They do me the odd favour when they can and if it's a straight forward job, otherwise it often takes more time to fit it into a specialist (but often it's better to let the expert do the job as they will get it done quicker in the end). Possibly see you around if you're having a blat out tihs way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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